Court Gives Nnamdi Kanu 24 Hours to Defend Terrorism Charges or Forfeit Right

The Federal High Court in Abuja has given the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, until Wednesday, November 5, to present his defence against terrorism charges or lose the right to do so.

Justice James Omotosho issued the directive after Kanu repeatedly refused to enter a defence, insisting that there was no valid charge against him.

Kanu, who represented himself in court, maintained that his continued detention by the Department of State Services (DSS) was illegal and that the charges filed by the Federal Government had no legal basis.

He argued that the terrorism law under which he was charged had been repealed and that prosecuting him under such a law violated his constitutional rights.

“There is no valid charge against me. I cannot be tried under a repealed law that is not in the Constitution,” Kanu told the court. “I will not go back to detention unless I am shown a valid charge.”

The pro-Biafra agitator accused the court of disobeying the Supreme Court’s ruling that condemned his extraordinary rendition from Kenya and demanded his immediate discharge.

However, Justice Omotosho reminded Kanu that the Supreme Court had remitted the matter for a fresh trial, not a discharge, before adjourning the case to November 5 for the defendant to either enter his defence or waive his right.

Meanwhile, counsel for the Federal Government, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), objected to some documents tendered by Kanu, arguing that they lacked probative value since they were unsigned and not court-endorsed.

Justice Omotosho, however, dismissed the objection, confirming that the documents were properly filed and accompanied by proof of payment.

The court’s next session is expected to determine whether Kanu will defend the charges or risk forfeiting that opportunity altogether.